A fresh bright week

Good morning friends and family on a very busy Monday morning in our house. Apart from all the normal Monday household activities, I had to get all THREE dogs to the grooming parlour by 8.30, sheeesh great fun. I had decided to change groomers as there is now a local lady who has a mobile grooming setup, silly me. I contacted her last week and she is fully booked for the next six weeks???? So, I had to make a quick decision, I quickly booked them in for Christmas 😁 , then made an appointment for today with their current groomer with some very specific instructions, she has recently taken over the shop and not quite as good as the previous owner. Boooom and that's how my week has started - it is already busy right up to Friday and My brain has barely registered that it is Monday. Given all the activity above and to come this week, I am just grateful that it is a new week and last week is well and truly finished. It was not the best week by any stretch of the imagination for a variety of reasons, despite that statement I actually managed to get quite a lot done (nope, not the bathroom wall 😭). I successfully, completely re-fashioned two outfits, one an old pure cotton nightie which I did a makeover on, secondly and the most exciting was a pair of jeans. There is a story (isn't there always?) I bought these Soviet jeans about 2 years ago at a charity shop for R15, they were too small, there is always that secret hope that some diet will magically gobble up all the excess weight but, they are extremely soft, lightweight, long, faded and have a slight stretch, just perfect. There they sat all this time until. ....... I cut them right up the outer seam from hem to waistband (I would NEVER do that to a pair of jeans I had paid a proper price for LOL). The previous week when Jelly Bean and I had our girls day I bought some super 'almost' granny print cotton material, I then proceeded to insert a panel on the outside of each leg. It got a wee big complicated at the waist band but I had figured it out ahead of time 💡and inserted a plain piece of denim looking material at the top of the panel. VOILA it worked fantastically and I now have a stunning pair of super comfy denim jeans that hark right back to the mid 70's which has always been by favourite style era. Next, to tackle the rest of the pile of clothes awaiting transformation and wearing. All this activity plus a number of other factors left me about as sore and low as I have been in many years, definitely not my best moments. Poppet just happened to call me during this time and we had a long chat, she is a very wise lady my daughter. Long story short, I am feeling much better and have realized that I'm not superwoman, much as I would like to be. Let me say this here - having a chronic health condition, whoever you are and whatever the condition, is extremely frustrating. In addition to dealing with the pain and various symptoms, there are dozens of things one wants to do /used to do /need to do but one is limited for various reasons, not only is this frustrating but it is confusing for those around you because you do not necessarily look ill. I am encompasing many different conditions and illnesses here i.e., Diabetes, Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Mood Disorders, Epilepsy, Chrohns Disease, just off the top of my head. You look normal, mentally feel like you always have and yet are limited in certain areas. As I explained to my precious Hubby while we were chatting about it and he said he understands that I don't like going out and I said no, on the contrary I love going out but depending on what the 'out' is sometimes it is just too much for me. I will cope fairly well whilst I am out but the moment I stop the the pain / fatigue /symptoms will hit me like a freight train. For example a shopping trip which takes all day and involves many stops will flatten me as opposed to going out for coffee or a walk on the beach or a quick shopping trip with one or two stops, I will be tired and sore but I can deal with it. The reason I share this today is twofold : A. I am not the only person with a debilitating, at times,chronic condition. B. If my Blog is to be about the twists and turns of my life then it means honesty regarding the ups and downs. I am sure that among you, the readers of my Blog, some of you may have different conditions and symptoms but we all struggle with the same feelings of inadequacy, failure, grief for the person you used to be, frustration, and so the list goes on. What I am learning is that even though I may feel it, I am not alone. To this end we are making small but significant changes to still lead a 'normal' and exciting life as we've always wanted to do. On Saturday there was a Family Spring Day in Pringle Bay and at the last minute the three of us decided to go and investigate, there was not much different to a normal Saturday market day with various stalls selling the usual books, clothes, food etc. it was beyond busy, Jelly Bean actually asked "where do ALL these people come from?" After a quick browse during which Charlie came face to face with his first sheep 🐑 and was more than startled hehe, we took ourselves off for a superb cup of coffee/tea at our favourite Coffee Shop, bought a few odds and ends for the grocery cupboard and came home. Hubby and I then proceeded to wash down the deck, oh my goodness it was a big job but I actually had so much fun. I washed with the hose and he swept with a big broom. There is something very soothing and satisfying in washing dirt across and off a surface, then I discovered that if the hose was set hard and sharp I could wash away even the moss and algae growth left from winter. I probably used way more water than I should have but our deck is looking wonderful. Hubby put an ad on Facebook for the galvanized railing that went around the deck and within minutes someone contacted him and arranged to collect yesterday, which they did. Now we can really begin to see the difference and visualize how it is going to look when finished. He also has an order for three furniture items for Poppet and family which will begin this week. So folks, that is my news in a very small nutshell. I would like to thank you for your continued support and readership of this Blog. IF by sharing events, twists and turns from my life I can reach or help someone else, then the purpose of writing My Life's Winding Roads is worth it. particularly after what this year has thrown at us, should any of you feel down or in any way overwhelmed, please feel free to message me in the comments section and I will do my best to listen to you and share any tips that I have found to be helpful. I bid you all a wonderful week, please stay well, continue to take all precautions to protect yourselves against Corona and stay safe. Ciao Ciao. 

The sea yesterday morning.

My 70'Jeans. 

My Life's Winding Roads: To busy !!

My Life's Winding Roads: To busy !!: Good morning all you wonderful people, I saw a post somewhere this past week that there were only ten weekends to Christmas, I admit to a mo...

To busy !!

Good morning all you wonderful people, I saw a post somewhere this past week that there were only ten weekends to Christmas, I admit to a moment of fleeting panic as Christmas just hasn't been on the radar this year.  Normally by now we have most of the logistics worked out - October 2020 and so far nothing, that is SO not me.  I am going to have to get onto the situation quickly.

Wow, last week !!!! Was just jolly busy, I'm still trying to catch up.  On Monday the three of us went through to Hermanus as there were just a few odds and ends we needed to get, Charlie came with us and I dosed him with the natural anti nausea pills the one vet gave me.  Well, the shopping went well, quick and efficient, Charlie did well going in, but in the way home Hubby made a sharp stop then a turn and it was good bye breakfast, I'm so glad I planned for that eventuality, so now it's back to the drawing board on fighting his travel sickness.

Tuesday was a day of doing in the house, as most of you will have gathered, I am always on the look out for cleaning tips. I came across an article about Scrubbs Amonia and suddenly realized I had not had that in my house for decades.  Tuesday was a bit of an experimentation day and so far I can say 👍🏻 , it works like a shot.  I mixed amonia, bicarbonate and a little water to make a paste, put it on some mildew and about ten minutes later just rubbed a toothbrush gently over it and it removed all but the smallest amount.  Hopefully this week I can prove my theory on a bunch of different areas 😁.

Wednesday  Jelly Bean and I had planned a girls day out.  We went through to Somerset West, bought some fabric, meandered in a clothing store with her getting a couple of nice pieces for summer, went through one or two other stores which we never get to before going for lunch on the beachfront in Strand.  It did us both the world of good and is something we used to do regularly in Johannesburg, but have hardly done  here at all.  Needless to say it is going to become a regular thing despite the fact that I received a few calls from Hubby dearest telling me how much Charlie was missing me and whimpering 😪 he, Charlie not Hubby, almost licked me skinless when I got home hahaha. I think Hubby was fairly glad to have us back home as well.

The rest of the week was pretty much a right off for me but I still got most things done, although I have not yet gotten to the sewing or painting that bathroom wall.  The more I look around the more I see things that need doing 😱.

Hubby has been busy with some big clocks that came in, we had to send out a 'shipment' of Stands and he has now completed the proposed diagram for the first of the furniture items for Poppet, Sonshine and Princess.  We were talking over the weekend and have decided the best way for him to get things done is to divide his time up to some of each every day, I already do that and its the only way I cope.  

The weather has become a tad warmer but  mecifully still comfortable and on the cool side, I am already dreading the full onset of summer.  Yesterday with no wind and it being incredibly quiet and peaceful outside we had another little braai, I suddenly realized we had not bought 'braai breads' / roosterkoek - these are usually  either cheese or garlic/butter filled dough rolls that you cook on the fire.  I have done normal toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches on the fire before but decided to take a chance and try and make the original thing.  I made a dough, let it rise and not being totally sure how to 'fill' it, I rolled it out and cut it into six pieces which I filled and then folded over.  They were delicious apart from being a wee bit too big and could have cooked a little longer, now I am on a mission to perfect them hehe, so watch this space as I try different recipes and methods of filling.

The quilt is coming along steadily although there have been one or two days when I just did not have the oooompphh to do any work, it is usually my 'happy, peaceful time' and helps me relax.

Well folks, that's it - even I will admit this was a busy week ... yikes.  I am not planning on moving beyond the gate this week.  With all the ongoing effects of CoVid 19 and Lockdown so many people are struggling in so many ways, mentally and emotionally being one of the areas most affected.  As someone who has a family member who struggles depression and anxiety on a daily basis, I would like to encourage you to reach out to those you know who perhaps have gone 'quiet, maybe not as active on social media, keeping contact, going  out or any similar scenarios.  They don't need our advice,  what they DO need is our ears to listen without judgement, criticism, advice, suggestions, being told to 'get over it' or 'try doing exercise/getting out' etc.  If they could they would, trust me.  They just need your compassion to listen and let them know they are not alone and there is always someone who will listen and care.  It is time to look beyond the automatic smile and the 'I'm fine' and look a little deeper.  Please I am asking each of you, my readers to look around those you have contact with and be 'THAT' person they can talk to and turn to.

Have a fantastic week folks, stay safe and stay healthy.  Ciao ciao.

P.S.  A giggle for you - weeks ago in my vegetable farm box we received a basil, parsley and spring onion plant combo.   Like a good girl I planted all three.  The basil died 😢  but the other two are thriving. I have been chopping the 'spring onion' greens onto omelette, salads etc.  Just now I saw Jasper eating the greens ?????? So I took a closer look and it really registered that the leaves are flat and not tubular (I kind of noticed but didn't think about it before)  I asked Hubby to taste and it appears I'm growing, successfully, kikuyu grass 🤣🤣🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️.  Clearly I never got spring onions.  Tip kikuyu grass won't kill you if you eat it.

Our view at lunch on Wednesday.

Braai Breads

My Life's Winding Roads: Interesting times

My Life's Winding Roads: Interesting times: Hello all on this beautiful Monday morning, I hope everyone had a good weekend and you are all ready for the new week. We had an unusual wee...

Interesting times

Hello all on this beautiful Monday morning, I hope everyone had a good weekend and you are all ready for the new week. We had an unusual weekend - it didn't rain all the time😀. Saturday was cool and we have had a lot of wind but yesterday was a little warmer and eventually the wind died down, leaving a very quiet little Village with only the sound of birds and the sea to keep us company. Weather wise, we had a mild week, no major lows or highs just a comfortable temperature. As usual lots of things going on in and around the house, it just never ends. We have had a leaking sink plug hitch Hubby replaced only to discover yesterday that three of the pipes themselves were loose and also, leaking grrrr. We were without internet on Friday and after trying all the usual tricks we called our service provider who came out very quickly and changed a cable (which they had replaced only three weeks ago). The Technician said he would come back on Saturday morning and when he did it was to discover that the cable from the Antenna to the Wi-Fi Router was full of water, with all the rains and winds, the cable had somehow sucked in water like a straw and then it 'fritzed' the antenna's electronics. So, we now have a new, thicker cable AND a new smalle, but stronger dish/antenna, such fun🤦🏻‍♀️😬. Hubby has been quite busy as we received an order for a few more Embroidery Stands as well as two big Grandfather clocks which came in. Along with that there are also some furniture items on the agenda from Poppet and Princess for when they move down. Things have come together nicely for them with regard to their move and as far as I know, everything is now booked and ready to roll. I will be able to get their keys at the end of this month which will enable me to measure up for curtains where needed and also take delivery of anything that needs to be delivered. The rest of the family are all well and very busy from what I can tell, they were all fairly quiet last week. Last Monday for Hubbys birthday we took ourselves off for breakfast at a lovely little restaurant in Pringle Bay, so much atmosphere, fantastic food and really friendly hosts, thank you La Galleria for a lovely morning. From there we 'explored' a teeny bit by going down to the small beach in PB. It is small and secluded but an easy path to access it, there also has a lovely bench to sit on above the sand. Charlie eventually got his feet onto the beach and was more interested in all the new smells than actually venturing into the water, he really enjoyed his outing and is such a well behaved little boy when it comes to going out with me, we just need to conquer his travel sickness and then do longer trips. So far, on the short local trips he does well. Today he is going with us into Hermanus so here is holding thumbs (and taking a towel with hehe) This week is already looking busy, oh my !!! I'm still on my quest with the bedroom /bathroom make over, I haven't painted the wall yet but yesterday I got fed up with the floor so I grabbed my small steam machine, floor and tile cleaner, scrubbing brush and old toothbrush and got down to do some cleaning. Well ............. perhaps overdid it just a tad and I can't even say it looks that much better 😏, I did however discover a couple of new uses for the steam machine but was just too tired to get to them. Needless to say I have not put it very far away, it needs to be close to hand. I also did the winter / summer clothes switch over earlier on in the week which is just going to equal more work because I found a few items which could do with some re-purposing and experimentation, this I AM looking forward to doing. My quilting carries on unabated and I am already thinking of what I will make when the big quilt is finished. So folks, no dramas apart from anhialiating a small scorpion I found next to the bed, and no specific events as such. Just a lot of 'life' and all that it entails. We did have a wonderful, surprise visit from friends yesterday afternoon who popped in for coffee, what a joy and just lovely to visit. I wish you all a wonderful week ahead, please stay masked, stay well and stay safe. Please don't get complacent with your CoVid procedures. Ciao ciao. Pringle Bay.

My Life's Winding Roads: The Wind Huffed and it Puffed

My Life's Winding Roads: The Wind Huffed and it Puffed: Good morning everyone from beautiful Bettys Bay. Since yesterday it looks like we might just be approaching spring, that is certainly no g...

The Wind Huffed and it Puffed

Good morning everyone from beautiful Bettys Bay. Since yesterday it looks like we might just be approaching spring, that is certainly no guarantee but a possibility. Here we have three or four days a week of having the fire going all day and then a couple of days of sunny, wind free, mild weather so it's a 50/50 situation right now. Praise the Lord our dams are now full as we have had the most wonderful rains. This past week saw some extremely hectic winds in Cape Town itself, many trees uprooted and blocking roadways, roofs blown off in the Strand etc, it was very windy here but no damage reported or possessions flying around. Well, so much for painting the section of wall in our bathroom - I did not even get near the paint tin much less prepare the wall tiles, it just was not on my capability/energy scale. I did however bake rusks (they just seem to vanish into thin air 🤷🏻‍♀️), I did some good cooking and even made a ciabatta bread for the first time this year, yes I know that is shocking given that I used to make one or two a week. We had an odd week with a lot of catching up on chores regarding house maintenance, I did a nice amount of embroidery, sent out some letters to hopefully new distributors, learnt how to 'more or less' use Sheets which is the Google version of Excel. Thank you Poppet for taking time out of your very busy month end to show me what to do and set up the formulas, at least now we can keep an up to date record of what wood/screws etc we have and when we are running low. It is amazing how much time Admin takes up, I had forgotten. For the first time I noticed a very significant reaction with regard to Fibromyalgia and the change in weather. We went from hot and sunny to freezing cold and wet overnight and my body was not impressed, it pushed me into a flare which I'm not quite out of hence no painting. Yesterday just doing my embroidery was too much for my arms, beyond annoying is what it is. We have also come to the end of birthdays for the year, Poppet celebrated her birthday on Saturday and I truly pray this is the last one we cannot celebrate with her. Hubby dearest celebrates his 71st today and is exactly 30 yrs and 2 days older than Poppet. His celebration of choice for today was to go out for a nice breakfast which is what we will be doing. By this time next month we will have the keys for Poppet and Princess' beautiful new home down here prior to their big move. They have been very blessed to find a home within spitting distance of Princess' new school, it is an Estate within a secure Estate and utterly gorgeous. The Bears have bought their first 'home' which is equally beautiful and very 'them', a loft apartment in Gardens, Cape Town, in a much quieter more peaceful area, the only downside is the beach and promenade are not just a three minute walk away. So much change wherever I look, but change for the good. I have to give a 'hats off to Big Guy' here as well, he started a brand new job in a totally different field in January and although things have been incredibly rough and uphill with CoVid 19 and the lockdown he has, through sheer grit, prayer and determination, continued to work really hard, storing up contracts for as and when Lockdown levels drop and is doing very well. To all of our children, and grand children, we admire your work ethic, and the people you are, We could not be prouder. Well folks that brings me to the end of today's Blog, I wish you a wonderful week. Climb those mountains, fight the battles and enjoy the victories. Stay safe and say well. Ciao ciao Charlie looking to share my food.

My completed quilt squares to date.